It is a annular solar eclipse which is an astronomical phenomenon in which the Moon, being far from the Earth, comes between the Sun and our planet, but does not completely cover the solar disk, leaving a ring of bright light or “ring of fire” visible.
It will be right on February 6, 2027, lThe Moon will come between the Earth and the Sun, forming a perfect ring of fire that will darken the Patagonian landscape and transform the entire environment.a unique experience, of great beauty and with a high tourist impact, which attracts astronomy enthusiasts, photographers, scientists and tourists from all over the world.
There are ten months until the eclipse, the phenomenon that will not be repeated in this part of the world until December 2048. Esquel has everything ready for that date.
countdown
The countdown began last week when the official presentation of the event was held at the Casa del Chubut (Sarmiento 1172, CABA), organized by the Undersecretariat of Tourism of Esquel and with the collaboration of the Ministry of Tourism and Protected Areas of the province.
“The path of the eclipse will cross exactly through Esquel, Trevelin, Nahuelpan and part of the Piedra Parada Protected Natural Area. Its duration will be 3 hours and 12 minutes in the partial phase, and 7 minutes and 31 seconds in the annular stage, the precise moment in which the Moon will be located between the Sun and the Earth forming a ring of fire,” explained Pablo Gerez, from Chubut Explorers and tourist guide, specialized in experiences, nature and astrotourism.
During the official presentation, the specialized guide emphasized that “the area of Esquel and Trevelin will be the best place in the world to observe the eclipse, where the central strip will pass when the Moon projects the shadow on the surface of the Earth. And it becomes a great opportunity for the province of Chubut, since it will not be repeated in this part of the world until December 2048.”
Why is it the best place
The reasons why the region will be the best place in the world to observe the Eclipse is because of its trajectory. The phenomenon crosses exactly 10 kilometers from the city of Esquel, very close to the town of Trevelin, the Nahuelpan community and the area near Piedra Parada, which will allow the ring of fire to be observed with greater precision than in other places in Patagonia.
The area is characterized by the lack of light pollution that is common in cities. But, although the trajectory of the eclipse is similar to that of cities on the Atlantic Coast of Buenos Aires, Esquel and the region are places with little industrial activity and less light pollution. This region boasts world-class quality in the purity of its skies: deep dark, starry nights, and blue skies with expansive views during the day.
The natural environment is the fundamental condiment: between the Patagonian steppe and the Andean forest, the pure nature makes the area the ideal destination for the observation of astronomical events and is, in addition, a 360° starting point for adventure and different experiences such as canopy, paragliding, horseback riding, the southernmost vineyards in the world, lakes, rivers, lagoons and the Los Alerces National Park, a World Heritage Site distinguished by UNESCO since 2017.
Everything thought
Throughout the western Chubut region where these towns are located, the availability of accommodation is wide and was designed for the time of the Eclipse, astronomical camps with bathrooms, meals, energy to charge equipment and nights of astrotourism.
Tourist guides trained for the event will be accompanying lovers of astronomical phenomena and will hand out appropriate glasses.
There will also be special departures of the Old Patagonian Express known worldwide as “La Trochita”, one of the last steam trains in the world, with a narrow gauge of 75 cm wide.
The best sites
Regarding observation, the prominent sites to observe the eclipse have been determined.
In the city of Esquel, unlike other places in Patagonia and the country, to contemplate the eclipse it is not necessary to travel hundreds of kilometers. It can be quietly observed from the patio of some lodging, viewpoints near the city, astronomical camps or the center of Esquel.
The Nahuelpan Station, located 20 kilometers from Esquel, becomes one of the most precise spaces to observe the eclipse, since the exact trajectory is 500 meters from the Nahuelpan Station, where La Trochita arrives. For this reason, one of the proposals is to travel on the historic train and enjoy the moment when everything is going to darken and live the experience of the eclipse on rails in the middle of the valley.
An ideal place is also the La Zeta lagoon, on the way to Trevelin and just 4 kilometers from Esquel. It is an Urban Nature Reserve Laguna La Zeta, a place surrounded by nature, tranquility and authentic connection. It has a parador with gastronomic proposals, rental of kayaks, water bikes and mountain bikes. Another exceptional combination for the observation of the sidereal event.
Route 259, which connects Esquel with Trevelin, is another of the most precise points in the path of the eclipse. Between both cities, the ring of fire that will be glimpsed in the sky can be observed with total perfection and will be the setting chosen by those passionate about this field and nature photography.
A magical place will also be the Piedra Parada Natural Area, famous for climbers. It is 125 kilometers from Esquel, it protects the mystique and enigma of the Chubut plateau, with its rock formations, vestiges of volcanic activity from 55 million years ago. And although getting there requires greater transportation logistics and supplies, it is an ideal place for those seeking disconnection and contact with something different.
Eclipse and much more
The Regional Director of the CABA Delegation of the Ministry of Tourism and Protected Areas of Chubut, Sebastián Sarsfield, states: “Chubut is a province to visit all year round, with a fauna calendar that covers the four seasons and helps plan trips: from summer, with sea activities, at night, in lakes and in the mountains, to the La Hoya ski center, the great protagonist of the winter season. We also have activities on the coast and on the central plateau with the color palette of autumn and the tulips and peonies of spring.”
The launch held at the province’s headquarters in the City of Buenos Aires, the Casa de Chubut, provided the opportunity for travel agents to plan proposals ten months in advance and foresee better services and options.
With the furor of astrotourism, the Chubutenes launched “You come for the eclipse, you stay for everything else”, because it is a territory where the 16 de Octubre Valley is deployed, a region where you can trek along infinite trails, there are also the southernmost vineyards and wineries, the iconic La Trochita steam train, the Alerzal Milenario, the Los Alerces National Park, the flour mill full of history, the houses of Welsh tea from Trevelin and endless experiences with nature in this corner of Patagonia.
